is there anyone here who DOESN'T like cruises?

asking seriously.

i have such a fear of going on one, but DH wants to try it.

I don't like idea of being trapped, bored, etc in the middle of the atlantic. and no cell service??? I just can't.

is it really worth it??

Re: is there anyone here who DOESN'T like cruises?

dh and i enjoyed the one cruise we went on but you sound just like my bff. she absolutely refuses. for the same reasons you cited.

Re: is there anyone here who DOESN'T like cruises?

I feltl the same way until only a few months ago when my friends booked a cruise to celebrate their 30th birthday, so we had no choice but to go. It was a 4 day cruise to Mexico but we had a blast! My biggest worry was not having my cell phone, internet, etc but the ship has an internet terminal in the library..and you can still call from your phone when the ship stops in ports....and honestly,I was too busy having FUN to notice I didnt need or want to look at my Blackberry!!! Thats the whole point of a vacation.

Re: is there anyone here who DOESN'T like cruises?

I don't like cruises.

I am in a VAST minority and people always try to convince me that my reasons are ridiculous but I can't help the way I feel.

My reasons are ~

1. I suffer from TERRIBLE motion sickness and don't care that every says you don't feel the boat move. It would be a very expensive mistake for me to make.

2. The feelings of being trapped that you mentioned. I don't even care for all inclusive resorts for that reason, but with all inclusives at least you can leave if you want. When a boat is at sea, where do you go??

3. I have children and I am not comfortable brining them into international waters where laws are sketchy at best.

Re: is there anyone here who DOESN'T like cruises?

I don't think I like cruises. For similar reasons.

But I am kind of being forced on one shortly, so we'll see if my attitude changes but I doubt it.

Re: is there anyone here who DOESN'T like cruises?

I went on one and I didn't like it all.

I got bored real fast, I hated the idea of being stuck around the same people all the time, the rooms were teeny tiny, I'd prefer more options when it came to where to eat...

Re: is there anyone here who DOESN'T like cruises?

I have no desire to go on a cruise. My two big reasons are:

-motion sickness (thats enough of a reason for me, I get it bad!)

-And my other thing is that, I really like to get to know the place that I'm traveling to. I like to see as much of an island, do different types of tours, get to know the culture and people. I feel like with caribbean cruises, your not really given enough time to really see these places...and then they all start to blend and seem the same. Plus I love the beach and could spend hours swimming in the ocean everyday.

Re: is there anyone here who DOESN'T like cruises?

I've been on several cruises (because DH likes them) and I really don't care for them at all.

I hate feeling "trapped" on a ship. I'd much rather park myself on a beach at a resort for a week. I don't like that I'm stuck with the same people day after day for a week. I don't like being on the cruise line's schedule. I can't stand feeling like I'm "one of the herd" - descending on an island en masse. I don't like being told who to tip or how much. I'm not a fan of the endless eating.

I know lots of people love them - I'm just not one of them.

Re: is there anyone here who DOESN'T like cruises?

I have only known one person who did not like going on a cruise and some that just won't do it.

I have never felt that "trapped" feeling. We have always found something to do but my dh is a VERY outgoing person so we join every activity. I could just sit on the back of the boat and watch the water for hours. I love the feeling of going around the ship at any time of the day or night by myself and having something to do and feeling "safe".

I have gotten sick so I know it is not a good feeling. I could see if someone is very prone to getting sick. I have just taken pills and felt ok. I have only really have gotten sick on one cruise out of the 4 we have been on. Even still, I got sick and went on for the night-lol.

I think you need to try it out before saying you don't like it. If you don't like it after, then you know that it is not for you.

Re: is there anyone here who DOESN'T like cruises?

I've been on 2 and they're just not for me. I don't have a fear or anything and I don't get sea sick, I just prefer staying at a resort instead. I don't like being on someone else's schedule and honestly, I was bored on the ship. The rooms are so tiny also--I had a balcony both times and it's still so small. DH wasn't a fan either so no more cruises for us.

Re: is there anyone here who DOESN'T like cruises?

I was so close to booking one last February out of NYC for President's week. I have never been. After reading about a couple of ships that had stomach viruses spread like wildfire, I was turned off. Plus the tiny rooms, formal nights, small pools and scheduled dinners (I know on certain cruises they have dining when you want), were just not appealing to me. Maybe I'll change my mind in the future, who knows.

Re: is there anyone here who DOESN'T like cruises?

We went on one 2 yrs ago for the first time. I cant say I hated it, but I wouldnt rush back to book a cruise again. We are more into resorts. For one, I had horrible motion sickness AFTER I got off the boat (mal de débarquement syndrome). I had it for 3 weeks, and it was awful. I had to go to the dr for Rx's to make the feeling subside.

Also, I dont care for a group setting with meals. We paid extra and did a couple of private dinners on the boat, to avoid all that. I also didnt care for scheduled meals. What if I am not ready/hungry at those 2 dinner times? Not a fan of the small rooms, eventhough we had a larger room with balcony, it was still very cramped.
Mehhhh....I dunno, I just wasnt thrilled about the whole experience. Honestly, the best part of the trip, was when we docked at got off the boat, lol!!!



Cruising is just not for me.

Message edited 12/4/2011 7:38:57 PM.

Re: is there anyone here who DOESN'T like cruises?

We happen to enjoy cruising - but - we don't dine with others - we get a table for us DH and I or our family, we are picky about what lines we sail on and where we go. Honestly, I think that a lot of people who don't like cruising might like it IF they find the right cruiseline/ship/itinerary. I can say as someone who likes it there are lines that I would never go on or ships or itineraries that I have absolutely no interest in that others really love. So it is important if you are on the fence to try to find one that matches up best with your personal preferences.

For example if you like entertainment/action and get motion sickness you don't want to go on say princess' or celebrities' smallest ships to say Alaska or one of the longer itineraries. But if you want more service, don't want to sit with a lot of people and want a more pampered less party/social type of atmosphere you probably don't want to pick a carnival ship.

My mom gets horrible motion sickness as does DH and they both didn't think they would like cruising - but they both changed their minds afterward.

I have had friends who have gone on cruises and hated it for reasons people above have mentioned but they tried a different line/ship etc and they ended up loved it. This is why it is important to really research the cruiseline/ship etc b.c if you don't find the right one you probably won't enjoy it nearly as much as if you find one that is a good fit.

Normally I don't use TA's but for someone who hasn't sailed booking yourself might not be the best idea because you might not pick one that really fits you.

Now having said that...I think vacations are really personal and that you have to find something that is a good fit. I have stayed at some of the top resorts on some of the Caribbean islands and honestly I personally didn't enjoy them nearly as much as the cruise and got bored very easily. So I don't think that not liking a cruise or any particular type of vacation that is popular is unusual at all. Some vacations are just not for everyone!

Re: is there anyone here who DOESN'T like cruises?

I have only been on two cruises. They just are not for me. Not my style of vacation.
I went on royal caribbean both times. it was impossible to sit by the pool without waking up at the crack of dawn, so we were always stuck at the inside pool.
The 2nd cruise was rough waters and DH was sick the entire time except for when we were on land. I was sick a few evenings. It happens. That time was a really rough time for cruises in the caribbean, I didn't have that problem the first cruise.
I felt rushed and unable to relax in the ports. Always having to be aware of what time it was and how much time we had.
They bring your luggage on board for you. This was a fluke, but they lost mine the first night and I couldn't go to dinner in the main dinding room. Had to go to the buffet and I am not a big buffet person. Turned out they brought my bags to the wrong room. It happens, but I don't like leaving my luggage like that.
I didn't like having to eat dinner at an exact time every ngiht. I actually hated that.
I DO think cruises have great prices! And wish i liked them because of that. Haha.
I know plenty of people who love cruises. I thought I would love them too. Just turns out I don't. I was actually relieved to be home after both of mine. lol. I would rather be at a resort. It really just depends on ones vacation style.

Message edited 12/5/2011 11:18:16 AM.

Re: is there anyone here who DOESN'T like cruises?

I've never been on a cruise and DH and I have zero desire to ever go on one.

First of all, we are not outgoing, social people. I don't like the group activities, the dining with others, or the general "herd" feeling of visiting every port en masse. I like our family vacations to just be special private family time (or couple time if it's just DH and me)

Second, most cruises visit tropical ports (I know you can do European cruises and such, but I'm generalizing). DH and I don't like beachy locations much. We much prefer woodsy/mountain places, or even visiting cities.

Add in the possibility of motion sickness and the possibility of those stomach viruses and it's just not my thing.

Re: is there anyone here who DOESN'T like cruises?

Went on one cruise and I hated it! I loved only one day of the whole cruise and that was when we went to Belize. We were on an island with barely anyone and it was great. But in the end we had to go back the ship, YUCK! I was sick most of the trip. Also it could be the group of people I was with too! I wouldn't be apposed to trying a cruise with DH and some friends, but I don't see it as a likely scenario!

Re: is there anyone here who DOESN'T like cruises?

I have no desire to be stuck on a boat with a bunch of people I don't know

Re: is there anyone here who DOESN'T like cruises?

Posted by Lillykat

We happen to enjoy cruising - but - we don't dine with others - we get a table for us DH and I or our family, we are picky about what lines we sail on and where we go. Honestly, I think that a lot of people who don't like cruising might like it IF they find the right cruiseline/ship/itinerary. I can say as someone who likes it there are lines that I would never go on or ships or itineraries that I have absolutely no interest in that others really love. So it is important if you are on the fence to try to find one that matches up best with your personal preferences.

For example if you like entertainment/action and get motion sickness you don't want to go on say princess' or celebrities' smallest ships to say Alaska or one of the longer itineraries. But if you want more service, don't want to sit with a lot of people and want a more pampered less party/social type of atmosphere you probably don't want to pick a carnival ship.

My mom gets horrible motion sickness as does DH and they both didn't think they would like cruising - but they both changed their minds afterward.

I have had friends who have gone on cruises and hated it for reasons people above have mentioned but they tried a different line/ship etc and they ended up loved it. This is why it is important to really research the cruiseline/ship etc b.c if you don't find the right one you probably won't enjoy it nearly as much as if you find one that is a good fit.

Normally I don't use TA's but for someone who hasn't sailed booking yourself might not be the best idea because you might not pick one that really fits you.

Now having said that...I think vacations are really personal and that you have to find something that is a good fit. I have stayed at some of the top resorts on some of the Caribbean islands and honestly I personally didn't enjoy them nearly as much as the cruise and got bored very easily. So I don't think that not liking a cruise or any particular type of vacation that is popular is unusual at all. Some vacations are just not for everyone!

Re: is there anyone here who DOESN'T like cruises?

Re: is there anyone here who DOESN'T like cruises?

Sorry to crash but I wanted to give a little input since Dh & I absolutely love cruising & can't wait to take our boys. Like others have stated, you really need to find a line of ships that fit your particular lifestyle. There are certain lines I would not step foot on even for free. The iternaries are also important especially if your concerned with being "trapped" at sea. You would want to minimize your @sea" days.

In terms of being out if reach, its not true. Dh & I were just on a cruise to Bermuda in November & we called home daily from sea to check on our boys using our cell phones. It was $3 a minute compared to calling from the ship at $7.85 a min.

The activities that are offered throughout the day/night are endless. You could just sit & relax or be on the go from breakfast to dinner. Most big ships have several pool areas which include adult only areas. There is usually entertainment such as live music poolside during the day. The spas are fabulous too.

Dinner we usually sit either alone or at a table with the people we go with, so comfort is key. The dinner possibilities are endless & you can order the entire menu if desired. IF you pick casual dining, the buffets are always open or u can do speciality restaurants for a cover charge.

Re: is there anyone here who DOESN'T like cruises?

Message edited 12/6/2011 10:23:36 AM.

Re: is there anyone here who DOESN'T like cruises?

I do like them in general.
Though the things you mentioned are exactly what I dont like about them.
The rooms are ridiculously small. I mean if it were just dh and I that would be ok. We went with my 1 dd and you could feel the tight quarters. Now we have a second dd and we plan to cruise but again, it doesnt get that much bigger even if you upgrade.
The motion sickness I had out of NY was horrific. The ship was going all the way up and all the way down and I remember laying there feeling the UP/DOWN/UP/DOWN movement ...it was horrible.
What I do like about it is that there is entertainment all day long. I like that you can eat whenever and go to the spa and pools all day. I like that you dont have to drive anywhere. Its all at your fingertips.

Re: is there anyone here who DOESN'T like cruises?

Re: is there anyone here who DOESN'T like cruises?

Re: is there anyone here who DOESN'T like cruises?